Sleep. We all need it, few of us get enough.Some non-sleepers turn to medications, but recently many of those who are sleep deprived are using sleep apps on their smart phones to help them get some extra z's.Carl Azuz explains:

It's a crazy world we live in. Go, go, go. But when it comes to going to bed, a lot of us are so stressed, we just can't get any shut-eye.

There are plenty of medications that claim they can help people sleep. But some drugs have side effects, so a lot of folks choose to toss and turn until they doze off.

Introducing sleep apps, applications you can download on your smart phone, or tablets.

From using soothing sounds that help you relax, to tracking your sleep patterns, these apps claim they can help you get a better night's sleep.

Dr. Neal Maru, Integrated Neurology Services, says: "The fact that people are starting to recognize the importance of sleep is the bonus."

But do they really help when it comes to someone's health?

Dr. Maru, "They are not really going to diagnose anything. They are not going to be able to treat a patient with any type of sleep disorder."

Recently the food and drug administration announced they will begin monitoring health apps, to make sure they are safe, and do what they claim.

Doctors say, even if these programs do cause you to become drowsy, chances are those who download them are having sleep problems that may need to be treated by a physician.

Because many sleep issues, such as sleep apnea, can lead to serious problems.

Dr. Maru, "If a person is having an issue with their sleep, that may be why they downloaded the app in the first place. And if that is the case, certainly seeking medical advice and certainly testing could be beneficial."

For today's health minute, I'm Carl Azuz.

Copyright 2013 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.